SeaClear Sys II Pre-Filters

I am writing to provide positive feedback about these pre-filters. I have been using them since purchasing my Sea Clear aquarium over two years ago. They keep the water absolutely, perfectly crystal clear. The only drawback is that once dirty, they must be cleaned or else the filter will not work properly. I find that they get clogged sometime between 7 - 12 days. The best (easiest and most efficient) way to clean them is to put them through your washing machine, set on small load and hot water; obviously do NOT use detergent or cleaning chemicals of any kind. The force of the machine will wash them completely, and the spin dry cycle will dry them out about 95%. In this way, I can re-use the filters anywhere from 6 -10 times. This means that they are really quite economical, because you have to measure the cost of the filter vs. the time they last. I strongly recommend these pre-filters as well as the Sea Clear System II overall. I could not be happier!

Don't buy a Sea Clear tank, because you cannot find pre-filter that fit correctly. Replacement parts are non-existent.

I am a Sea Clear Bowfront Acrylic tank owner. I have used these pre-filters for years, but upon purchasing these particular ones on Amazon a couple times, I am positive that the material is much thinner than they used to be. They become clogged faster, too. Are these really from Casco? Is the economy that bad that they are being made much thinner at the same cost? It's still the same expensive price. I feel like I could go to Hobby Lobby and make my own pre-filters with material they sell at a much cheaper cost. Something is fishy here. No pun intended.